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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Minority Medical Students Awarded Scholarships
In December, two Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring (MOM) program participants were awarded the 2018 National Medical Fellowship (NMF) Scholarship in Ophthalmology. They are Ja’Qualane Scales of Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and Joshua Chazaro of Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois. The second-year medical students were chosen based on scholastic and leadership achievement and active participation in the MOM program, a partnership between the Academy and Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology.
Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring. The scholarship recipients were two of 22 medical and MD/PhD students selected by the Academy to join the MOM program for its inaugural year. This program was designed to attract underrepresented minorities (African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans) in medicine to a career in ophthalmology and help prepare them to be competitive residency applicants. After being paired with ophthalmologist mentors in August 2018, the participating students were invited to Student Engagement Weekend at AAO 2018, where they had the opportunity to meet their mentors in person, as well as to explore the many facets of ophthalmology.
National Medical Fellowship Scholarship in Ophthalmology. Just prior to the annual meeting, NMF, which shares the MOM program’s mission of providing more opportunities to underrepresented minority students pursuing medical careers, generously offered to provide two $5,000 scholarships to MOM students who clearly displayed leadership qualities through their research, academic performance, and extracurricular activities.
The impact. By supporting the education of these two students, the NMF scholarships uphold the greater mission of MOM and NMF to support diversity in and accessibility of health care. According to NMF, the shortage of health care professionals in communities of color is estimated to be between 46,000 and 90,000 physicians by 2025. Ms. Scales and Mr. Chazaro, in their applications to the MOM program, stressed the value they placed in pursuing a medical education, not only to pave the way for minority students interested in becoming ophthalmologists, but also to provide better care to patients in underserved communities.
TAKE NOTICE
Academy Year in Review
Academy leadership, staff, and countless volunteers work hard to provide you with the best member experience. Find out what the Academy achieved in the last year on all fronts, including advocacy, education, and public service. The 2018 Year in Review highlights some of the Academy’s greatest achievements, including the following:
- establishing a permanent research fund to advance the practice of pediatric ophthalmology;
- launching a campaign to build a new Museum of Vision in San Francisco;
- lobbying for ophthalmology’s best interests in state and federal government affairs; and
- developing an award-winning public education campaign.
Learn more at aao.org/yearinreview.
A Request From EyeNet
This month and next, some of you will be asked to participate in a magazine readership survey conducted by Kantar Media. If you are a fan of EyeNet and the work we do, please participate to help keep our scores high. Being ranked among the most widely and thoroughly read ophthalmic publications enables us to secure funding for projects that help you in the clinical realm and in your practice, like the MIPS manual.
Attend the Cochrane Systematic Review Workshop
Join Cochrane Eyes and Vision U.S. Satellite and learn to more effectively review and conduct research. During this two-day intensive workshop, participants will attend lectures by experienced reviewers, then have the opportunity to apply these insights in hands-on exercises designed to reinforce the latest Cochrane methodology. Mark your calendars now for March 28-29 in Stanford, California.
Apply to attend at https://eyes.cochrane.org/March28. The deadline is March 1.
Visit the Academy at APAO Congress
From March 6-9, the Academy will exhibit at the 34th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress in Bangkok. If you plan to attend this conference on “The Sciences and Arts of Ophthalmology,” visit the Academy’s booth for the latest information on Academy resources and products.
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman Award
The Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman Award, established by Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, and awarded annually by the Women in Ophthalmology board of directors, recognizes the woman who did the most during the previous year to advance and enhance the position of women in the field.
Last fall during AAO 2018, the award was presented to Nancy M. Holekamp, MD, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Holekamp has been a champion for women in the profession through her outstanding body of clinical work as well as through her support of mentorship within the American Society of Retina Specialists’ Women in Retina (WinR), of which she is Board Chair.
Holekamp said, “I was so incredibly honored to receive the Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman award, joining a long list of impressive women leaders in ophthalmology. I think receiving this award is a nod to the great work being done by WinR. Of course, it takes many people to create meaningful programs that support women ophthalmologists, so I have to thank my colleagues at WinR.”
ACADEMY RESOURCES
Attend the Ophthalmology Business Summit
Creating value for your practice while effectively serving patients is more challenging than ever. Join the Academy’s business-focused “boot camp” and uncover actionable strategies that can immediately impact your practice’s revenue and growth.Physician leaders and senior administrators can attend the Ophthalmology Business Summit individually or as a team to benefit from an intensive two-track program developed bynotable business experts and Academy leaders. Attend March 23-24 in Chicago and position your practice for success.
Find the complete curriculum at aao.org/business-summit.
Residents: Prepare for OKAP Success
Maximize your study time with the new BCSC Self-Assessment Program. Efficiently gauge your clinical knowledge with 1,100+ questions and customizable tests tied directly to Basic and Clinical Science Course (BCSC) content. Each question provides a discussion of the correct answer, BCSC excerpts, and complete references.
Subscribe at store.aao.org/bcscresident.
MEETING MATTERS
Get Ready for AAO 2019 in San Francisco
Mark your calendar: AAO 2019 takes place Oct. 12-15 at Moscone Center in San Francisco. At the meeting, you will become well-versed in recent advancements of clinical care, learn the latest surgical techniques, and hear faculty share evidence-based recommendations. Following your educational sessions, find more inspiration as you cruise around the bay, take in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, visit the entertaining colonies of sea lions, shop in Chinatown, or sample California cuisine in the city of its origin.
Learn more at aao.org/2019.
Be Part of AAO 2019
Want to contribute to the world’s most comprehensive ophthalmology meeting? Prepare a paper, poster, or video abstract for AAO 2019. The online abstract submitter opens March 7 and closes April 9.
Find more information at aao.org/presentercentral.
PEOPLE
Passages
James E. Standefer, MD, ophthalmologist, professor, and international volunteer, passed away on Dec. 28, 2018. He was 83.
Although Dr. Standefer spent much of his career as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota and as the founder of Associated Eye Physicians and Surgeons in Stillwater, Minnesota (1970-1993), he left private practice in 1995 to serve as a full-time international volunteer. He was best known for teaching two-week glaucoma workshops in developing nations using the “Train the Trainers” principle; in each workshop, he taught five post-residency ophthalmologists from five different training centers so that the students could then return to their center and share what they had learned with a separate group of doctors.
Dr. Standefer also volunteered his medical expertise by treating glaucoma and cataract patients in developing areas, particularly in Central America and the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. In addition, he donated much of his time practicing at Mercy Hospital in Abak, Nigeria. Between teaching workshops and volunteering treatment, his service spanned more than 31 developing countries.
A dedicated member of the Academy for nearly 50 years, Dr. Standefer served as Chairman of the Academy’s International Educational Development Committee (now referred to as the Global Education and Outreach Committee) from 2000 to 2007. Dr. Standefer was influential in establishing the International Forum at the annual meeting (now referred to as the Global Forum), which offers insightful lectures and panel discussions on global issues in ophthalmology. In addition, over the years, he shared his knowledge about volunteerism with his peers by teaching courses and participating in sessions at the annual meeting.
During his lifetime, the Academy honored his acts of service with the 2015 International Blindness Prevention Award, the 2001 Academy Foundation’s International Public Service Award, and the 1998 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award.
In remembrance of his friend and colleague, Bruce E. Spivey, MD, FACS, said, “Jim was a person who toiled outside of the spotlight, but whose commitment was deeper and larger than most. He was a great person with a huge heart and dedication.”
D.C. REPORT
Be Heard! Attend Mid-Year Forum 2019
The Mid-Year Forum (MYF) is one of the Academy’s most significant yearly meetings, bringing the ophthalmology community together to implement the highest quality of care for patients through politics, policy, and practice management. MYF 2019 takes place April 10-13 in Washington, D.C., and is an ideal opportunity to directly advocate for your profession, learn about health care policy changes impacting your practice, and develop strategies to implement new programs in your patient-care approach.
Congressional Advocacy Day: Meet legislators at their place of business. On April 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., attend Academy-facilitated meetings with your members of Congress and their staff. With 111 new lawmakers between the U.S. House and Senate, the Academy can use every bit of help to build lasting relationships quickly. The Academy will provide talking points during a dinner briefing on April 10.
Politics. Policy. Practice management. On April 11 and 12, attend sessions on efforts to rein in drug spending; how to create an inclusive practice; social media—why we need it and how to do it right; understanding private equity and its impact on ophthalmology; what’s new with the IRIS Registry; and emergency planning and disaster preparedness.
Academy Council meeting. From the afternoon of April 12 and continuing through the next day, unite with your colleagues from ophthalmic subspecialty and state societies to discuss issues facing our profession. This is also an opportunity to advise the Board of Trustees on what you view as the highest priorities for the organization. Make your voice heard.
Register. MYF 2019 is open to all Academy members. Preregistration is available through March 25 at aao.org/myf_registration. The registration fee is $225 through March 6 and $325 as of March 7 and onsite; the fee includes MYF materials and meals. There is an option to register to participate only in Congressional Advocacy Day for free.